I haven't been much of friend lately. Not a good sister or daughter, either. I've become consumed with myself. Caught up in life situations that baffle me. Trying to figure out what to do next, what I did wrong, and if there is any way to salvage my spiritual self.

I am trying to be thankful in this season of thanksgiving. Frankly, I am failing. I look around and see so many things that are being rewound. Time moving the other direction, amendments being introduced in my country that are the first discriminatory legislation likely to pass. Sisters and brothers being denied legal rights, loosing their children in nasty custody battles, being fired from their jobs, and worst of all---being rejected by the very Christian groups that pronounce that God loves everyone.

I call myself a Christian---it's becoming an embarrassment. Why on earth do I want to be associated with the religious right when they so blatantly do not practice their current buzz concept of What Would Jesus Do? Now really----what would Jesus do?

Colossians 2: 7-8 Let your roots grow deep into him and draw up nourishment from him so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with Thanksgiving for all he has done. Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of the world, and not from Christ.

I am thankful for the religion of my youth. It taught me to believe that God loves me just the way he made me. I am trying not to be led astray by the high-sounding nonsense I hear spilling out of the likes of Pat Robertson or James Dobson.

The truth ladies: I am tired of dancing backwards. It is time we turn around and face ourselves, our false accusers and proclaim our truth. We belong here: in every instant of life, every occupation, and every church sanctuary. We need to start leading and stop following.

Thank you, God, that I live in America. Send nourishment soon…………not to us, but to the so-called Christians that could benefit from a lot less human thinking and a lot more Christ-like attitudes.